Patanjali products get clean chit in Himachal

The Health Safety and Regulation Directorate gave a clean chit to the food products manufactured by yoga guru Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth but found “misbranding” in certain products being sold after it detected a variation in sugar quantity .

After adulteration was reported in the neighbouring state of Uttarakhand, the health department swung into action and directed its health safety wing to pick up some samples.

Ramdev had launched whole wheat atta noodles, claiming that the noodles were healthier than those being produced by other manufacturers in the country.

Patanjali’s atta noodles were being sold in the market for Rs 10 per packet whereas atta noodles of other companies are sold at Rs 25. However, the noodles were mired in controversy as the Ayurveda company had not sought the mandatory permissions from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

28 samples picked

Food safety officers in Mandi, Kullu, Solan, Sirmaur and Una picked samples of food products randomly. As many as 18 products were sent for examination to the central forensic laboratory, Kandaghat.

“ We lifted at least 28 samples for testing,” Dr Rameshwar Sharma said. The samples were also collected from different shops in Mandi and Shimla.

Clean chit with rider

After the samples were tested , the laboratory at Kandaghat did not find any contamination or adulteration in the products. But it found misbranding in some products, including atta biscuits. Sharma said the health department will issue a notice to Patanjali Ayurveda for the misbranding of products. Patajanli has more than 500 sale outlets scattered in different parts of the state, along with 21 yoga clinics in different areas.